Across the country, some working families have struggled to maintain safe and sanitary living conditions due to rising living costs. As a result, Gov. Tony Evers awarded grants to help families receive necessary home improvements.
To assist low- and moderate-income households with housing rehabilitation projects across the state, Evers announced a $16 million Community Development Block Grant. Of the statewide grant, $3.5 million will go to 11 counties in the Southwest Housing Region, including La Crosse County.
“As I travel across the state, one of the things I hear about most from Wisconsinites is the importance of expanding access to reliable, affordable housing statewide,” said Gov. Evers. “Whether buying a new home or making essential repairs, there are thousands of families across Wisconsin who will be able to get help and support through these latest investments.”
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The $3.5 million will be split almost evenly across the 11 counties in the region to fund home repair and improvement projects at a low- to no-interest rate, depending on the projects.
Handy
Charlie Handy, La Crosse County community development manager, said that the grant would fund about 60 projects costing around $50,000. However, these grants are in high demand.
“We always have a significant waiting list,” said Handy. “This is definitely a product that is in demand.”
Anna Sprague, Couleecap’s community development assistant director, said that currently there is a year or longer waiting list for applicants. However, in safety or health emergencies, there are protocols in place to ensure that those most impacted can get the resources they need first. She cites those in need of lead removal as one of those issues that take priority.
Sprague
“When there’s an emergency project such as a house with who has a child affected by elevated blood levels, we have state protocols in place to put them ahead so that we can help,” said Sprague. “The longer a child has elevated blood levels, the more dangerous it becomes to their health.”
Couleecap is responsible for much of the grant funding allocation for those within the Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe and Vernon counties. Residents at or below 80 percent of the County Median Income are eligible to apply for Home Rehabilitation Assistance.
Since 2012, Handy said that they have completed a little over 800 projects through grant funding, which the region started receiving in 2012. However, both Handy and Sprague note that the biggest issue is sourcing contractors.
“There are just not enough contractors who can take on these projects and are willing to work with the terms because this is a state-funded project,” said Sprague.
Due to many contractors working on private projects since the pandemic began, there are not many contractors available or that want to work with the state’s terms, according to Sprague.
“Once the pandemic hit, construction costs and jobs just went up so greatly because people were spending more time in their houses,” said Sprague. “We haven’t seen that come down yet.”
However, the money available will not only support more contracting jobs but will also ensure safe and efficient living conditions for households in need statewide.
“We would love to see more contractors get interested in and work with our landowners to give them more competitive bidding for these rehab projects,” said Handy.
The projects are for safe, simple, and sanitary remodeling and rehabilitation, as opposed to more luxurious upgrades. Therefore, many of these rehab projects will reduce energy costs by making more energy-efficient modifications, including weatherization.
“If somebody needs a new roof, they need a new roof,” said Handy. “We want to get out there and get them that roof, siding, or windows. It’s rehab and a lot of it is mainly to be more energy efficient.”